This is not the Peterborough I know: sister of assault victim

Peterborough This Week

(PETERBOROUGH) It seems the entire community is rooting for Brandon Delaney’s speedy recovery.
The 39-year-old Peterborough resident was attacked in front of The Only Café on Hunter Street West early Saturday morning. Since then a Facebook campaign has been launched by friends garnering much attention.
Such support somewhat eases the anger Mr. Delaney’s sister Andrea Delaney is feeling.
“We are angry, saddened and sickened by this and at the same time our family is overwhelmed and thankful for the response,” she says.
She adds the senseless act that befell her brother is something that is occurring all too often in Peterborough.
“We’ve lived in Peterborough all our lives. This is not the Peterborough I know,” says Ms Delaney.
According to Peterborough police Detective Staff Sergeant Larry Charmley, the attack occurred just before downtown bars closed Saturday morning. He says two people on their way to The Only spotted Mr. Delaney lying in a pool of blood in an alcove out front of the establishment. Det. Staff Sgt. Charmley says Mr.. Delaney suffered a fractured skull and was rushed to Peterborough hospital before being transferred to a hospital in Kingston. Ms Delaney says her brother is in stable condition. She adds when he comes to he recognizes his family, and has asked about his seven-year-old daughter and his work.
“He told us he got beaten and that it wasn’t his fault,” says Ms Delaney.
Mr. Delaney has worked as a server at the Shish Kabob Hut for the past three years. Owner Don Vassiliadis was shocked when he heard what happened.
“He’s such a great guy. He was a fixture here at the restaurant,” he says.
Ms Delaney says her brother has worked in the food service industry in Peterborough for many years. She knows he has made countless connections with people in the community, many of whom are willing to offer any help they can to the family. Ms Delaney takes solace in this, but still questions the motive behind the attack.
“I was petrified he was going to die,” says Ms Delaney.
“He came out (of The Only) to walk home...and they hit him from behind. They left him there in a pool of blood to die.”
Det. Staff Sgt. Charmley says they have no witnesses to the attack, even though some 30 people were interviewed by police following the assault. Anyone who may have information regarding the case is asked to call police or Crime Stoppers.
“It’s definitely concerning when it appears to be a potential random attack,” says Det. Staff Sgt. Charmley.
Already, three benefits Ms Delaney knows of are being planned for Mr. Delaney and his daughter. The largest is set to take place at The Red Dog on Feb. 1. A concert featuring Brian Byrne, singer of I Mother Earth, Beau Dixon, Alan Black, and a slew of other local musicians will grace the stage. An auction and raffles are also planned. For more details visit ‘In Honour of Brandon Delaney’ on Facebook.
Ms Delaney says another benefit is also planned at The Junction on Jan. 23. A third benefit will be held at Playstreet on Brealey Drive on Jan. 26 from 6 to 10 p.m. Owner Tom Skopelianos went to school with Mr. Delaney and felt opening his business for a benefit event would be a good way to help out.
“It will be $10 per person adults or children,” says Mr. Skopelianos.
“Every penny will be going to Brandon that night.”